Council tables $2,700 request to stock outside overdose-response box at church pending data

St. Albans City Council on June 15 tabled a request to spend $2,700 to restock one outdoor overdose-response box at a church on B Street, asking staff to provide data on use, monitoring and community impact before approving the expenditure.

Council discussed a finance committee recommendation to purchase supplies for an altruistic harm-reduction project: free naloxone (Narcan), CPR face masks, travel sharps containers and small carrying bags to be placed in a donated outdoor box. Staff said the municipality would not buy the box itself; the money would pay for consumable supplies.

Council members pressed for details about access, vandalism and whether boxes could unintentionally put children at risk. The mayor, describing prior conversations with police, said officials’ priority is to save lives: “We take an oath and decide to save lives,” he said, recalling a discussion with the police chief and urging compassion while seeking safeguards.

Police and community outreach partners were described as existing distribution points; one partner noted ongoing outreach at Price Kitchen and other sites. Council members asked how the boxes are monitored; staff said the church and community partners check the unit and that no vandalism reports had been received. Cost questions focused on supplies — Narcan runs about $52 at retail — and staff said the physical box was donated by another organization.

After extended discussion and a request that proponents return with usage data and monitoring plans, a motion to table the funding request until the next meeting passed. Council asked staff to compile facts and usage metrics for the next meeting before the council considers approving the $2,700 expenditure.